One down, many more to go! The field team installed the first set of computers this month. This is the start of a huge task for the team as it includes installing: data sockets, power sockets, high-speed satellite broadband, satellite dish, wifi, reinforcing the doors and windows in the school, and ensuring that the computers are sheltered and not exposed to rain.
Until next time,
The iMlango team
Land Ahoy! The first container full of PC equipment arrives safely in Mombasa, after being shipped from Ireland. Handled by the Camara Kenya team, the demanding task of unpacking the machines gets underway. The guys on the ground are well used to this type of hard-work, and before long all of the machines are unpacked and prepared to be dispatched to the schools, ready for install. Once installed, the computers will be used as an access point to the internet and to the learning portal.
Teacher training will also be provided as it is ultimately down to the teachers to impart their knowledge on the students. There are another 2 containers full of computers scheduled to arrive in Kenya over the coming months, and in total, will amount to: 3250 computers, 520 laptops with headphones and 520 projectors.
Until next time,
The iMlango Team
The work on the ground begins! As the iMlango programme involves installing 1000’s of computers with high-speed satellite broadband connectivity in rural schools, the first hurdle to overcome was to document which schools had access to electricity and which schools didn’t.
Documenting this was a huge task in itself and involved visiting schools in the targeted counties, speaking to the teachers and understanding what issues they have, and the type of conditions that they have to work in. And as the programme involves large amounts of teacher engagement, we conducted a comprehensive survey to understand their level of IT literacy. Being able to understand how much teacher training would need to be carried out in the future was the key output to this survey – as without this, we would not be able to be sure how well the teachers would be able to correctly deliver the curriculum to the students once the programme had gone live in the schools.
Accessing the schools wasn’t always easy, or a smooth ride! The field team’s 4 x 4 was put through its paces as it got stuck in the mud on more than one occasion.
Until next time,
The iMlango Team